Theme finder



Oct. 23, 1928. 1,688,824

W. O; MIESSNER THEME FINDER Filed April 5, 1926 TWELVE INCH RECO DS REVOLU'HQN Nu MBERS us'v FEwnmE Ffun I DRHMRTIC iTQ-t TEE 7 INVENTOR.

l'anfiw 1M .4 TTORNEYS Patented Oct 2 3,: 1928.

- UNITED STATES WILLIAM OTTO MIESSNER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

. THEME FINDER.-

' Applicationfiled April 5, mac. Serial No. 99,942.

This invention relates to improvements in theme finders, particularly adapted for use with phonographs to quickly locate and chart particular themes in musical compositions.

- In the instruction of music in many schools phonogra'ph's and records are used and in many of the records the instructor desires to point out portions of' the theme of the composition or certain other features. It is a great advantage for the instructor to know the exact portion of the record where the desired portion is to be found so it will not be necessary to play the record from thebeginning to find the specific theme desired.

With the above in mind, therefore, the present invention contemplates a device which will locate the exact portion on a phonograph record where a certain theme is to be found so that the location may be charted 2 for future reference. Also, the device assists in the setting of the phonograph needle at a specific predetermined point on a record in order toplay any theme charted.

A further object of the invention is to provide a theme finder which is readily adapted for use with any form of phonograph and does not in any manner interfere with the efficient use of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to construction, is inexpensive to manufacture,

is simple in operation, and is Well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of the improved theme finder and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims and all equivalents thereof.

Inthe accompanying drawing in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

equipped with the improved theme finder;

Fig. 2 is a view of a chart for use with the theme finder; and i provide a phonograph record theme finder Fig. 1 is a plan view of a phonograph Fig. 3 is a plan view of the theme finder, proper.

Referring now more particularly to the draw1ngs, espec1ally Fig. 3 thereof, it will appeanthat the theme finder roper, designated by the numeral 5 is in t e form of an elongated rectangular card formed of paste board, celluloid, or any other suitable mater1al and is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 6, one end of which is enlarged and rounded, as at 7. One surface of the member 5, adjacent theslot 6, is provided with scale markings 8 and numbers 9 placed at predetermined positions to indicate phonograph record revolutions.

In operation the member 5 is placed on a phonograph 10 so that the post 11 extends through the enlarged portion 7 of the slot 6 and overlying the playing surface of a phonograph record 12. The phonograph themes or musical features. The chart 13 is divided into a plurality of columns, one of which .as 14, is headed Measure number. The next column is headed Revolution number and contains numbers15 arranged in sequence to correspond with-the revolution numbers appearin on the member 5. The last column 16 is headed List features for observation-If dramatic, sketch the story.

Assuming that the theme desired for study commences at a point in a record indicated by the position of the needle in Fig. 1 the scale marking on the member 5 will be consulted and will be found to be 190, for instance. The data with reference thereto is then written on the chart 13 opposite the number 190 by which means it is preserved for future reference. If at a? future time it is desired to have that specific portion of the record reproduced -it is merely necessary to set the phonograph needle at the revolution number indicated.-

It is obvious that the improved theme finder may be made any desired length and the scale needle is positioned so as to operate Withmarkings placed accordingly to fit any size record. Also the theme finder is of very simple and novel construction and is well adapt ed for the systems used in the instruction of music.

What I claim as my invention is 1; A theme finder consisting of a member provided with a longitudinally extending straight phonograph needle guiding slot and graduations adjacent said slot, said slot being enlarged at one end portion to revolnbly receive a phonograph post.

2. Atheme finder consisting of an elongated member of less size than a phonograph record and provided with an intermediate longitudinally extending phonograph needle receiving slot, and graduations delineated on said member adjacent said slot at predetermined positions to indicate-revolutions of a phonogra h record, said slot being at one en to revolubly receive a p post.

3. A theme finder, consisting of a member onograph' provided with a longitudinally extendingenlarged I 

